Why Willpower Doesn’t Work & What Actually Does

If you’ve ever started Monday with colour-coded to-do lists and ended the week hiding from your inbox, this episode is going to sting a little… in a helpful way.

In this episode, Taniel talks about why “I just need more willpower” is one of the biggest lies women tell themselves – especially working moms who are already running on fumes. We’re breaking down why you can’t “discipline” your way out of survival mode, and what your nervous system and subconscious are actually trying to do when you procrastinate, self-sabotage, or “fall off the wagon.”

You’ll hear why your patterns are often protection, not failure, why your brain will always prioritise safety over goals, and what to focus on instead: safety, capacity, and self-trust.

This is not another productivity pep talk. It’s a reality check on why willpower keeps letting you down – and a practical guide to what genuinely helps you follow through in a life that’s already full.

 

What You’ll Hear:

• Why “I just need more discipline” is a trap
• How your nervous system quietly overrides your willpower
• The difference between laziness and protection
• Subtle signs you’re in survival mode (not flaky or inconsistent)
• What actually works: safety, nervous system regulation, and small honest moves

 

This episode is for you if:

• You start strong… then crash and burn on every plan
• You think you’re “bad at consistency”
• You keep calling it procrastination, but deep down it feels heavier
• You’re tired of feeling like a grown woman who still needs someone to “keep her accountable”

 

Free Resource:

Download your free 5-Minute Calming Hypnosis Audio – a gentle nervous system reset for overwhelmed moms.

👉 https://tanielstrydom.com/5-min-calming-reset-audio

 

➡️ Episode page: https://tanielstrydom.com/why-willpower-doesnt-work

➡️ Website: https://tanielstrydom.com

➡️ Follow me: https://instagram.com/tanielstrydom